Inside the Moon
Water Test Results A4
Art Walk A2
Issue 656
The
Island Moon The voice of The Island since 1996
November 10, 2016
Around The Island
By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com The election is behind us, the mosquitoes have all gone to wherever it is mosquitoes go when they aren’t biting us, the water is full of hardheads “as big as sharks” and the La Posada Lighted Boat Parade is a mere five weekends down the Island calendar. We will be printing entry forms for the boat parade in the next several issues as the time gets closer. The parade route and times will be the same as previous years with the parade muster area in the Cartagena canal on the north side of Whitecap. We include a full schedule of events in this issue. A few early Winter Texans have begun to trickle in and the water temperature is still around 80 and finding its way to the dune line at high tide for the last several days. It’s been a good time for surfers who have kept the waters around Bob Hall Pier active.
Great Pumpkin Massacre
The Constables were at the scene of the Great Kleberg Pumpkin Massacre a couple of miles south of Bob Hall Pier this week. Apparently some pumpkin haters thought it would be fun to open up on their pumpkin patch in the dunes. It was a bad day to be a Kleberg Pumpkin, but the good news is that the campfire they built in the dunes didn’t catch the grass on fire so we got that going for us. The homeless population is slowly but surely finding its way back on the Kleberg beaches. They have discovered that if they set up camp south of the Kleberg County line they can still dodge removal since even as the area is patrolled by Nueces County Constables under an agreement with Kleberg County any enforcement of squatting laws require they be booked in Kleberg County which means a trip to Kingsville. They were pushed from the area when Nueces County bought the land and the area had a law enforcement presence for the first time, and many of them relocated under the JFK Bridge only to be removed from there. So now they are back to staking claims on the beaches of Kleberg. The good news is that the Naked Men of Kleberg who used to send us all looking for our Buck Knife to poke out our one good eye are long gone so we got that going for us too. It’s a bounty of riches.
Island traffic study
The City of Corpus Christi and the Metropolitan Planning Organization are moving forward with their traffic study of The Island. The work began over a year ago with traffic counters placed at various locations during peak times to get an accurate count of vehicles. The next step is gathering information from Islanders to determine the scope of the study, and finally to outline a plan for managing the growing traffic coming over the JFK Causeway. An estimate by the Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation which is developing plans for a second causeway to The Island by 2035, predicts that Island traffic will increase by 104% by the year 2025. Currently an average of about 32,000 vehicles crosses the JFK each day with a peak in the summer season of just over 70,000. The study breaks The Island into three traffic zones from the foot of the JFK to Commodores, from SPID north along State Highway 361, and from Commodores south to the Kleberg County line. It is expected to be complete by mid-2017. 4 In the meantime, say hello if you see us Around The Island.
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Traffic Lights in Place but Hotel Checked Out Work at SPID/Aquarius underway but development plans in limbo
By Dale Rankin
In early 2015 a developer approached the City of Corpus Christi with a proposition. If the city would install a traffic light at the SPID/Aquarius intersection near the base of the JFK Causeway the developer would
build retail space and a 105-room Hampton Inn on the east side of the intersection. The installation of the light, he said, was necessary in order to build the hotel.
Live Music A18
Moon Goes to India A9
developers are currently looking for another hotel to take its place and that while discussions are ongoing with Starbucks to place a store at the location no agreement is in place. “The site has not been platted and we may combine some of the lots,” said Lynann Pinkham with Cravey Real Estate Services who is working on the project. “There currently is no hotel in the works. We are talking to operators.” Earlier this month the Island Strategic Action Committee, an advisory committee to the Corpus Christi City Council, voted unanimously to recommend that the light not be activated until the warning device is in place on the JFK Causeway. The vote was taken after members noticed that the warning device, which by the original agreement was to be placed on the causeway before the highpoint
New Faces to Represent The Island at City Hall The Island will be represented by some new faces at City Hall as Tuesday’s elections will send two new At-Large members to the Corpus Christi City Council and Mayor Nelda Martinez will leave office at the end of 2016. Three of the five candidates endorsed by a vote of the Island United Political Action Committee, comprised of the 7354 registered voters on The Island, won their seats. Martinez and At-Large Council member Chad Magill which were endorsed by the IUPAC lost their races, while three IUPAC-endorsed candidates, Greg Smith in the District 4 Council seat and Paulette Guajardo and Michael Hunter in At-Large seats won their races. The surprise winners of the night at City Hall were former council
Mayor
199,051 Total registered voters Nueces County 2016
4102 Island votes for Nelda Martinez
192,083 Total registered voters in Nueces County 2012
2662 Island votes for Dan McQueen
97,801 Total votes cast in 2012 General Election (51% turnout)
At Large City Council
Island Vote North Padre
Now almost two years later the cost is $1.2 million and traffic lights are up but not activated, work on the intersection is underway, but a spokesperson for the developer said Wednesday the Hampton Inn is not coming to that location and the
“I wish I had an announcement for you now but I don’t,” Pinkham said this week. “There are a lot of moving parts right now.”
For complete Island voter returns see the item in this issue.
Total Nueces County
37.5% of county registered voters who voted early 2016
What is not clear is who will pay for the warning device, the city or the developer, and how much it will cost, and further when final plans for development at the site might be in place.
Islanders favored Martinez in the Mayor’s race, Smith in the District 4 race, and Hunter, Magill, and McComb in the At-Large race.
Vote Totals
74,737 Total Early votes 2016
of the roadway blocked the view of the intersection, was instead being installed on an overhead beam at the base of the causeway on the Island side.
Across the county 106,913 of the 198,913 registered voters cast ballots, 54%, while in the two main precincts on Padre Island 4957 votes were cast, a 67% turnout.
Island by the Numbers
58,075 Total votes cast in 2014 City of Corpus Christi Elections (31% of registered voters)
The developer, San Antonio-based Turner Busby, would spend $426,000 to install the light, reconfigure the intersection, and place warning devices on the JFK Causeway to warn drivers that a light at the bottom of the causeway could cause traffic to back up as they crested the top of the roadway and they should be prepared to stop. Total cost of the project was estimated at just over $650,000.
member and Nueces County Commission Joe McComb who was the top vote getter in the At-Large race where the top three finishers take office when new terms begin in January, and the newly elected Mayor Dan McQueen who handily beat incumbent Nelda Martinez by 7947 votes.
7364 Registered voters on North Padre Island 4957 Ballots cast on North Padre Island 67% Voter Turnout on North Padre Island 3541 Early Votes at Schlitterbahn polling site 2952 Total Island voters in 2014 election
2005 Island votes for Michael Hunter 1708 Island votes for Joe McComb 1656 Island votes for Chad Magill 1132 Island votes for Paulette Guajardo District 4 City Council 2229 Island votes for Greg Smith 935 Island votes for Lloyd Stegemann 10400 total votes for Greg Smith 4943 total votes for Lloyd Stegemann Port Aransas 3210 Registered voters in Port Aransas 2200 Votes cast in Port Aransas
4492 Total Island voters in 2012 election
69% Voter turnout in Port Aransas
5311 Early Votes cast at polling sites in Flour Bluff
1327 total Port Aransas votes in 2014 election
1692 Early Votes in Port Aransas
No timetable was set for when plans would be finalized.
A little Island history
St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway was to be the Catalyst for Growth in South Texas more than made up for the
When developers looked at South Texas in the summer of 1903 they saw potential. The same type of potential as South Florida that only needed the same thing for it to boom; a way to get there. The answer was the St. Louis Brownsville, and Mexico Railway. Its northern terminus was in of all places Sinton and its Southern U.S. terminus was where it crossed the Rio Grande in Brownsville. Another branch extended west to Starr County and eventually extensions were built from Sinton to connect it with Victoria, Houston, and Port O”Connor with the idea of eventually providing continious connections to Chicago, St. Louis and Memphis in the north, and Tampico and Mexico City in the south. It was an ambitious plan hatched at the first headquarters in Corpus Christi with initial capital of $1 million. The boared of directors reads like a Who’s Who of South Texas; Robert J. Kleberg and Arthur E. Spohn, both of Corpus Christi; Robert Driscoll, Jr., Uriah Lott, and
cost of the land they donated. It’s the old saying, “How do you make $2 million? First you get $1 million.”
Casa Ricardo Hotel along the rail line in Kingsville Richard King, all of Nueces County; John G. Kenedy, James B. Wells, Francisco Yturria, and Thomas Carson, all of Cameron County. Uriah Lott was named first president of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico and the headquarters was eventually moved to Kingsville In those days the builders of new rail lines were rewarded with bonuses of land, lots of it, and this one was no
exception. They got $190,000 in cash bonuses and 90,000 acres. Citizens of Brownsville and Bay City gave $40,000, while the Calhoun County Cattle Company donated $150,000. Henrietta King gave 75,000 acres of land in Cameron and Kleberg counties, 640 acres for the townsite of Kingsville, and forty acres for shops. The increased value of the land the donors kept along the route
tion began at Robstown in August 1903, and the 142 miles to Brownsville opened on July 4, 1904. Sinton was reached on April 10, 1905; Bay City on April 10, 1906; and Algoa, 343 miles from Brownsville, on May 28, 1907. From Algoa to Houston the company secured trackage rights over the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Company. The line was opened through from Houston to Brownsville on December 31, 1907. A branch line from Harlingen through Mission to Sam Fordyce, fifty-five miles in length, was constructed between May and December 1904. For the first time South Texas had an umbilical cord to the outside world
History continued on A4
A2
November 10, 2016
Island Moon
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November 10, 2016
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Publisher
The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
The Island Moon Newspaper 14646 Compass, Suite 3 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
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School Money A little over ten years ago–in response to a court ruling that went a little differently than the most recent one pertaining to school finance–the Texas Legislature chose to respond to a system that even the Texas Supreme Court agreed had evolved into an unconstitutional statewide property tax by reducing property tax rates. School district property tax rates were reduced by one-third throughout the state in order to provide property tax relief to taxpayers and the capacity for individual school districts to exercise local control over rates, allowing for an increase up to $1.17 with approval from local voters.
Dale Rankin About the Island Moon
Pioneer RV Park
In reference to the interesting story by Dotson Lewis, “The Truman-Dewey Election 68 Years Ago,” brings to mind some things I remember about that era. During the Mexican uprising in the early 1900 days, with American troops stationed along the U.S./Mexican border the orders from Washington were to not return fire even if fired upon. At that time Truman was a Major in the Army stationed on the border. He told his troops if fired upon, fire back, which I think is part of Give em h--- Harry.” The development of the atomic bomb was done in such secrecy that Truman, as Vice President, didn’t know about until FDR died. Since that time all VPs have been clued in on everything the President knows. I believe the history of WWII should be highly stressed in school and history books due to the fact that we actually had our backs to the wall in a do-or-die situation. Had we lost, we would have lost our country as well. Thank God that FDR and Harry Truman saw us through those times of great deaths and peril. Bobbie Kimbrell
Ronnie Narmour
Lisabella’s Restaurant
Water Exchange Bridge The proposed water exchange bridge under Park Road 22 only needs to be as long/high as the lower /shorter of the bridges over Whitecap and Gypsy since all of the water or boats must pass through those bridges. As for the cart/ pedestrian paths on each side of the water exchange channel, they have nothing to do with exchanging water, and everything to do with increasing property values on both sides of Park Road 22. Let the owners of those properties pay for or contribute to the additional cost of extending the bridge for their benefit. John Diggins
Pete Alsop Island Delivery
Port Aransas
A3
Island Moon
Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
When the state legislature reduced tax rates, they did so in a manner that ensured that no school district would be harmed and lose funding as a result of this legislative action. They promised Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction (ASATR) in order to fill the void created by districts having access to less revenue from the local taxes they were able to collect at that lower rate. However, when faced with an economic shortfall in 2011, the Texas Legislature chose to break that promise and reduce ASATR funding. Further, the Legislature established a deadline of September 1, 2017 for ASATR. Once that date passes, no school will receive any further ASATR, regardless of their need for this funding.
Island Boards Most of us have, by this time, voted, or at least reflected, on some aspect of our governance; I am hoping that we, here on Padre Island, have given some thought to the "workings" of our community. It is my understanding, that those who have been chosen to be on "our board" make decisions that impact each of us. WE have the opportunity to have OUR voices heard in the format of COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, a chance for each of us to provide input from our collective years of experience and knowledge. Please become involved and share your concerns and questions to assist our board members, who are volunteers, to problem solve, to seek new and creative ways of creating a harmonious life here on our Island. Consider sharing your expertise, your training, your interests to the benefit of our neighborhoods. It is much more than weeds, trash cans, trimmed palm trees, and recreational vehicles that perhaps could be parked within an Island area that is agreeable to the majority for a minimal cost. Perhaps the much discussed land usage of Billish Park could function as a possible place for the numerous boats and recreational vehicles we are blessed to own; this could possibly provide monies for the completion of Billish Park as the rental fees could help defray the projected anticipated costs that were written in the Moon last week. I encourage every homeowner to reflect on ways we each could enhance life, write down your good thoughts, and perhaps the Board will consent to a community wide meeting so all can be heard and help find solutions to what appears to be sought solutions to repeated concerns. Let's move on to appropriating monies for safety and security; a concern voiced ( though possibly not heard) by many homeowners here in our community. Please consider being part of the solution. Perhaps our covenant needs to be refreshed, rewritten, and updated for clarity and inclusion of current concerns. WE can work together to plan and execute a productive solution. Please get involved and share your talents with our Island community. I look forward to a community wide discussion and information night here on the Island in the next few weeks to tap all the great ideas each of you have for the betterment of Padre Island and its governance. Sincerely,
Christy Rome Executive Director of the Texas School Coalition
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New Advertisers The Holiday Home Tour of seven Island homes sponsored by Padre Island Enrichment Club will be held on Sunday, December 4th 12;30 – 5:30 pm. There will be music, food, shopping trip raffle and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the POA office at 14015 Fortuna Bay, the Blue Crab Boutique on Compass and at all the homes. For info call Katherine Pierce 960-0327. Proceeds benefit the PIE scholarship fund. My Coastal Home Furniture Store is having a sale with up to 50% off selected items on Black Friday. There are stores located in Port Aransas, Rockport and North Padre. Port A Shop Around will be held on Saturday, November 19th 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday noon – 6 pm. There are 36 participants. You can grab a map at the Chamber of Commerce. The Annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale sponsored by the Padre Island Enrichment Club will be held in front of Keller Williams Realty on SPID Tuesday, November 22nd 9 am – 1 pm. Waterline Restaurant at the lower level of Doc’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant has a football watching party on six screens every Thursday, Sunday and Monday with Game Day Specials. The bar is open Fridays 6 – 9:30 pm and Saturdays 11 am – 9:30 pm. The restaurant is currently taking reservations for holiday parties.
Business Briefs The Black Sheep Bistro/Barrel will change ownership on December 1st. Lance, the new owner, states that they will remain open during the remodel which will include replacing the large tables in the Barrel with high tables for 4. Some of the changes planned are the hours changing to close at midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10 am – 2 pm, catering service and special to go orders will be taken by Pastry Chef Heidi. Winter Walking Tours are held every Friday at 5 pm at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture. Guide Judy Perkins takes you through the budding, blooming marshes and prairies. The tour meets at the Preserve Pavilion at the end of Port Street. The Boathouse Bar & Grill has a Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Package for 5 – 8 guests that you can order by November 15th for $130 or November 20th for $150. The dinner includes deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, sweet corn, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, Hawaiian rolls and choice of pie. You can pick up dinner hot or cold. The restaurant will be open Thanksgiving day 10 am – 2 am with full menu.
The Island Bar & Grille at the Holiday Inn will have its Grand Opening Thursday, November 10th with complimentary hors de oeuvres 6 – 8 pm. There will be complimentary beer and wine 6 – 7 pm. Full Sail Pint Night at Scuttlebutt’s will be held on Thursday, November 17th 5- 7 pm. They invite you and your friends to come out and sample a few beers. The Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History will host a Dollar Day on Saturday, November 12th. There will be food available for purchase, actors in historic costumes, and lots of activities to do at the museum from 10am to 5pm. The Gaff in Port A has their belt sander races and chicken bingo on the second and fourth Saturday of the month at 4 pm. Enjoy the festivities, great pizza and perfect weather this Saturday.
The group of 175 school districts still requiring ASATR funding to make them whole is a diverse crowd. They can be found in every geographic region of the state, and have student enrollment ranging from 50,000 to less than 50. There are also districts in that group that are considered both “property wealthy” and “property poor” that stand to lose this funding. These are not districts that have mismanaged their funds in some way, and in many cases, even if these districts defied the intent of the property tax reduction intended in 2006 and raced up to the maximum rate allowed by law, the revenue would still not be enough to make up the difference.
In 2006, the state compressed local school property tax rates by a third and promised to increase state funding by the same amount so that school districts would not realize any reduction in funding as a result of the state’s effort to provide property tax relief. The state broke its promise soon thereafter, as illustrated in this chart. If nothing changes, ASATR funding will disappear completely in 2017, leaving local schools with a third less funding than they had in 2006.
By Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com
The Turtle’s Nest Gift Shop next to Jesse’s Liqour has extended their 20% off every item over $10 sale until Thanksgiving.
Barbara DeToto
Many districts have seen their property values increase so that they no longer require this ASATR funding. But to the less than 20 percent that still require this funding, its loss will deal a devastating blow. Some districts stand to lose 50 percent of their current funding, and they will be forced to close their doors. The other districts that stand to lose funds are also the very ones that took the biggest brunt of the cuts to public education in 2011 and have never seen their funding fully restored. In other words, if there was a program or staff position those districts could cut and still provide a quality education to students, they have already done so. There are no further cuts they can make in order to absorb this further loss of funds.
Right now, there are hundreds of thousands of students aboard school buses that are headed toward a fiscal cliff. We can’t even begin to imagine the damage that might be done if they are allowed to fall off that precipice. But unlike a physical cliff, this is a tragedy that can be prevented. For when the 85th Texas Legislature convenes in January, they will have the opportunity to make this right. Legislators will have the chance to teach Texas schoolchildren what it means to keep a promise.
Did Ya Hear?
Police Blotter Police Calls 13500 block SPID 6 p.m. November 1 Possession of marijuana Commodores/SPID 5 a.m. November 5 DWI (second offense) 14400 block SPID 2 p.m. November 6 Vehicle impound
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is honored to invite active duty and retired military members to the Islanders men’s basketball game on Friday, November 11th at 7 pm and women’s basketball game on Saturday, November 12th at noon in recognition of Veterans Day. Members of the military with a valid military ID may request up to four complimentary tickets to either of the games. All complimentary tickets will be in the reserved seating sections of the American Bank Center. Treasure Island in Port A at 315 N. Alister has a full bar and 14 taps with live music every Saturday. The 4th Annual Kites & Bikes Festival has moved to the Lexington and will be held on Saturday, November 11 am - 4 pm. It will include fitness demonstrations, bicycle rides, stunt kite demonstrations and exhibitors. Stunt kite fliers will launch a large American flag kite from the deck of the Lexington Museum on the Bay in honor of Veterans Day.
15000 block Leeward 10 p.m. November 3 Assault 14300 block Cruiser 3 a.m. November 3 Assault 13900 block Dasmarinas 8 p.m. November 2 Runaway 15300 block Bounty 7 a.m. November 3 Vehicle theft 15900 block Palo Seco Noon November 1 Vehicle theft
2016 Annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale Hosted by the Padre Island Enrichement Club
November 22, 2016 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Look for us in front of the Keller Williams Realty Office! Proceeds benefit the PIE Scholarship fund and other local charities
A4
November 10, 2016
Island Moon
History cont. from A1
There was no planning in those days for seasonal crops. When the big crops came in rail yards were overflowing with product waiting for cars to ship it to market. There were no standardized container cars for various produce. Periodic frosts and floods randomly wiped out harvests. As with all boom cycles the bust turns up sooner or later and this time the hardest hit were the promoters who created it in the first place. The developers were overextended. They borrowed money to buy more ranchland and construct more irrigation canals. The advertising agencies charged fess between $65 to $100 of each acre sold. New Sodbusters made down payments of covering only about one-forth of the total cost of the land with the remainder to come from farm profits that were simply not always there. Indebtedness became the common enemy.
Gulf Coast Lines map that didn’t involve riding a horse. It brought with it a land boom on a scale the likes of which will likely never be seen again in South Texas. Immediately development companies purchased huge tracts ranchland along the route and began subdividing them into tento-forty acre tracts. They installed irrigation pumps and dug drainage canals to turn brush country into farmland. The price of land went from $2 an acre to $5, then to $50 for unimproved pastureland. By 1912 the price of irrigated farmland was $300 per acre. As is usually the pattern, behind the railroads came the scourge of the previous generations of ranchers – Sodbusters. Developers hired advertising agencies in Chicago and Kansas City and began placing
Rail staton in Brazoria
ads in newspapers, and spread leaflets and traveling recruiters to bring in potential buyers. They charted railroad cars and brought people to the Valley for fares as low as $25. The potential Sodbusters showed up in droves where the promoters worked them with promises of riches and in hard sell tactics.
It wasn’t long before the Sodbusters fell behind in their payments and consequently the land developers slid toward bankruptcy. By 1920 the Sodbusters had figured out they didn’t need the developers anymore. Under new legislation they formed
There was not established marketing strategy for their newly found products.
Editor’s note: In the last issue we ran the results of tests on water drawn from a tap on the south end of The Island. Moon reader Jacalyn Gorczynski responded with this letter. By Jacalyn Gorczynski While not an organic chemist, I am a geologist/ environmental consultant that deals with water quality on a pretty regular basis. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has water quality standards that are established to provide a baseline for safe water for the public. Here's a breakdown of how those apply to the results in that lab report: The calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, and manganese levels are fine, meaning we don't have a lot of dissolved metals in our water. The EPA maximum for sodium is 20 mg/L compared to the 40,600 mg/L result. That is some salty water. The EPA maximum for chloride is 300 mg/L compared to the 50,800 mg/L result and the maximum for fluoride is 2 mg/L compared to the 225 mg/L result. We don't need that much additive in our water. The nitrate and nitrite tests did not test low enough to reach the EPA standards, which are 10 mg/L for nitrate and 1 mg/L for nitrite. The EPA maximum for sulfate is 300 mg/L compared to the 16,200 mg/L result. Sulfate is toxic at this concentration. The high specific conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels indicate the sample taken was basically salt. TDS levels in drinking water should be less than 1,000 mg/L. The result of 219,000 mg/L is extremely, extremely salty and not suitable for human consumption.
Just eight years after the consruction of the railroad fifty pumps were drawing enough water from the Rio Grande to irrigate 60,000 acres, by 1921 that figure would grow to 204,000 acres. Ranching retreated from the river back to the Wild Horse Prairie where it had always survived if not flourished, beyond the reach of the irrigation ditches. In 1913 Valley farmers exported over four thousand carloads of vegetables. But there were some problems. Many of the Sodbusters were transplanted city folks who knew little or nothing about farming. The hard sell promoters had convinced mandy businessmen, professionals, craftsmen and industrial workers that all they had to do was to “quietly sit down and watch the crops grow.” Any farmers reading that line just laughed out loud.
What’s in the Water?
public irrigation districts to float bonds to buy out the land developers and their creditors. But the farming communities in South Texas grew. A dozen new towns sprung up along the route of the St.Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway. The same developers who had furnished the irrigation canals now provide the land for the towns. Between 1900 and 1910 the population of Cameron and Hidalgo counties jumped from 22,000 to 41,900, by 1920 it was 75,000. Much of the increase came from Mexican nationals crossing the river in search of jobs. In 1911 the Mexican Revolution in Mexico sent waves fleeing the troubles south of the border.
The alkalinity and pH results indicate issues for our pipes, as the high alkalinity (EPA suggestion 150-200 mg/L) result of 1,600 mg/L will cause scale and buildup and the the pH (EPA suggestion 7.5-8 mg/L) result of 12.6 mg/L may corrode pipes. The hardness result of 47.4 indicates we have slightly hard water. Overall, not great results. The City as a whole has a lot of water quality issues and they are trying to work on them, with the assistance of many individuals. I'm not saying break out the pitchforks, but something really needs to be done about our water quality. In the meantime, use filters, lots of filters, and do what you can to get the City to implement solutions.
But in spite of that the Anglo population in the region reached a sizable proportion for the first time. The racial tension that would grip the Valley for decades had taken hold. It was the fertile spawning ground for the Boss System that would rule South Texas until very late in the 20th century. And it all started with a little old railroad.
Military Members Invited to Weekend Basketball Games Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is honored to invite active duty and retired military members to the Islanders men's and women's basketball games on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, in recognition of Veterans Day. Active duty or retired members of the military with a valid military ID may request up to four (4) complimentary tickets to either of the games over the weekend. All complimentary tickets will be in the reserved seating sections of the American Bank Center. In addition, military members can receive additional tickets beyond the four complimentary seats for the standard $5 military rate. The $5 military rate is valid all season long at any Islanders basketball game for active or retired members with a valid military ID.
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The Islanders men's team opens its regular season on Veterans Day this Friday with a 7 p.m. matchup versus Our Lady of the Lake at the American Bank Center. The women's team then steps into action Saturday with a noon tip against the Toledo Rockets The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Army ROTC will present the colors at both the men's and women's games this weekend Active and retired members of the military who wish to request complimentary tickets may do so by calling the Islanders Ticket Office at 361-825-BALL (2255), or by presenting a valid military ID at the American Bank Center box office on game day.
November 10, 2016
November Moon Phases
Island Moon
Stuff I Heard on the Island
By Dale Rankin I could say that elections are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. But here at the Word Factory we avoid clichés like the plague so I won’t say that. To me elections are more like a prostate exam, it feels so good when they are over. My failure as an Election Night prognosticator are borne out by the $500 I lost on this one and there are still some surprises bouncing around out there in the ether and some lessons to be learned. In no particular order here are some.
Mayor
Tides of the Week Tides for Bob Hall Pier November 10 - November 17
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Th
10
Low
6:05 AM
10
High
11:08 AM
10
Low
5:14 PM
10
High
11:26 PM
F
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
1.1
6:47 AM
Set 2:22 AM
1.5
5:39 PM
Rise 3:06 PM
1.7 0.8
6:47 AM
Set 3:25 AM
1.7
5:39 PM
Rise 3:48 PM
11
Low
6:16 AM
11
High
12:36 PM
11
Low
6:43 PM
11
High
11:45 PM
Sa
12
Low
6:41 AM
0.5
6:48 AM
Set 4:29 AM
12
High 1:53 PM
1.9
5:38 PM
Rise 4:33 PM
12
Low
8:10 PM
1.3
Su
13
High
12:01 AM
1.6
6:49 AM
Set 5:36 AM
13
Low 7:14 AM
0.3
5:38 PM
Rise 5:20 PM
13
High 3:02 PM
2.1
13
Low
9:38 PM
1.4
M
14
High
12:11 AM
1.5
6:50 AM
Set 6:43 AM
14
Low
7:55 AM
0.0
5:37 PM
Rise 6:11 PM
2.2
14
High 4:09 PM
15
Low
8:39 AM
15
High 5:14 PM
16
Low 9:27 AM
16
High 6:18 PM
Th
17
Low
17
High 7:21 PM
10:19 AM
80
1.2
W
70
1.0
Tu
Moon Visible
1.6
-0.2
6:50 AM
Set 7:51 AM
2.3
5:37 PM
Rise 7:06 PM
-0.2
6:51 AM
Set 8:57 AM
2.3
5:37 PM
Rise 8:04 PM
-0.2
6:52 AM
Set 9:58 AM
2.2
5:36 PM
Rise 9:05 PM
88
95
99
99 97 92
A5
District 4 And while it was no surprise council newcomer Greg Smith won the race for the single-member District 4 seat and he will take office with a reputation that proceeds him and will stand District 4 well at city hall. Not only is he a former Chairman of the Island Strategic Action Committee he is also a businessman with deep ties to The Island and Flour Bluff. Smith is a member of the Dunn ranching family which operated on The Island for decades. His attention to details and proven record of common sense problem solving is well established and you never have enough of either of those in city government.
The biggest surprise has to be the defeat of Mayor Nelda Martinez. Maybe this one shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise since Martinez missed a runoff two years ago by only 1.76% against a weak field of candidates which included this year’s winner Dan McQueen who finished third last time with only 14% of the vote. But in this contest Martinez chose to rest on her record and run an image campaign largely bereft of much policy at a time when voters are in a mood for less talk and more action.
His opponent in the race, and a newcomer to local politics, Dr. Lloyd Stegemann, showed that he is a serious candidate and hopefully will decide to make another run for office at some point. He had the bad fortune of running against Smith who has a long history of public service and would have been hard for anyone to beat. But I’m thinking that Dr. Stegemann will be back and if so will find good support among Islanders.
When McQueen spoke to the crowd at the Island United Political Action Committee during the endorsement process, which went to Martinez, he stressed his opposition to higher taxes – an aversion Martinez doesn’t historically share, and he continued that throughout his campaign and voters responded.
The biggest shift in voting habits I saw this time is the continued emerging popularity of Early Voting. When Early Voting rules were relaxed in the early 1980 most of the early vote was on the Republican side of the aisle. No more. This time 74,000 early votes were cast out of a total of 107,000 and the early turnout was evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. If roughly three of every four votes are cast during the heavy two-week Early Voting period candidates have to start buying media earlier in the process and that means raising more money. Citywide races were already becoming more expensive since the election date was moved from the spring to the fall cycle forcing city council candidates to compete with dozens of other candidates for campaign money during a time when television time is at a premium.
It’s just my opinion but I do believe the recent actions of councilman Mark Scott to thumb his nose at voter-approved term limits raised the temperature on the Throw the Bums Out meter and that didn’t help incumbent and close Scott ally Martinez. It was a solid win for McQueen by almost 8000 votes and a clear sign that voters are not happy with business as usual at city hall.
At-Large The second surprise was the defeat of AtLarge council member and oft mentioned future mayoral candidate Chad Magill who has been a good friend to The Island over the years. IUPAC members voted to support newcomer Paulette Guajardo, as well as Magill and incumbent Michael Hunter. Guajardo beat Magill by only 215 votes for the third At-Large seat. With the departure of Scott and now Magill, two of the three At-Large seats will be filled with newcomers. In another surprise, at least to me, former City Council member and Precinct 4 County Commissioner Joe McComb was the top vote getter in the At-Large races only two years after losing his county seat to Brent Chesney. In spite of failing to get the IUPAC endorsement McComb, who has longstanding ties to The Island, finished between Hunter and Magill for second among Island voters. A loose coalition of council members often lead by Magill had become the driving force in city governance and his absence will mean a change in the dynamics there but The Island should be in good hands.
Early Voting
Island voting For reasons unknown the Island vote was down this Presidential cycle compared to 2012. Only slightly but the number of registered voters was well above that of 2012 so the percentage of registered voters who cast ballots dropped from over 80% last time to under 70% this time. Islanders made up about 4% of the countywide vote which is in keeping with our share of the population. All things considered Islanders should fare well with the new configuration at city hall. Historically we haven’t asked for much and historically that is what we have received. But we are entering a crucial point in Island development when failure to plan is a plan to fail and with the work of the ISAC and voters in the IUPAC we should be in good stead. I sense a change of direction at city hall, the last of the old You Scratch My Back and I’ll Scratch Yours crowd has cleared out. As the Chinese say, may you live in interesting times, it looks like the times just got a bit more interesting around here.
Island Coyotes Get Aggressive
The BACK PORCH Stevie Start Michael Martin Eric Magnussen Buddy Trevino Cruise Control Laid Back Texas
Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 18 Nov. 19 Nov. 25 Nov. 26
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I have really terrible news, my beloved family cat and my neighbor's small dog were viciously attacked and killed by either one or more coyotes on Saturday morning. We live on Main Royal Dr but the street behind us has one empty lot and we think that is where they came from but the coyote jumped an 8ft fence that my cat was sitting on and we think knocked him down and my neighbor's dog went outside and tried to protect the cat. The bodies were taken and a report was made but I am not sure if anything can be done. I have heard that we cannot kill the coyotes? I don't know what the right answer is but I know that I do not feel safe now and what if a small child had been in the backyard? Please be careful with your pets because even our back yards are no longer safe. ~Dorella Elizondo
A6
Island Moon
Veteran's Day
Senior Moments
By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: Tomorrow, November 11th is Veterans Day; I remember it as being Armistice Day when I was a kid. For me it is the day every citizen of these United States of America should observe. On November 11th every year I spend time remembering not only my friends who went to Korea with me and did not return, but all who risked their all, so that we can live in a truly free country.
Did You Know? Red poppies, a symbol of World War I (from their appearance in the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae), are sold in Canada and the United Kingdom on Remembrance Day to raise money for veterans or worn in the lapel as a tribute. In the United States many veterans’ organizations sell and/or give away Red Poppies on Veterans Day. During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae. As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” The Great War & Armistice Day On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. Though the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, November 11 remained in the public imagination as the date that marked the end of the Great War. In November 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The day’s observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 a.m. On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American
beginning in 1978. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively. Celebrating Veterans Day Around the World Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11. In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, living or dead, but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, May 1915 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Dotson’s Note: Since Veterans Day will be observed next week, I believe it is appropriate to remind you of one of the major and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. The Battle of Dak To took place between November 3 and 22, 1967. On November 3rd intelligence discovered the enemy had encircled the Dak To – Tan Canh area. Kennedy Hickman contributed to this article, most of the information came from the experiences of “Bravo Company.”
Regiment, fought for several days to seize this hilltop. The attack began on November 19, and Hill 875 was finally secured on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd. Both battalions suffered very heavy casualties and the fighting was so violent that the infantry companies were calling in artillery and air strikes dangerously close to their own positions. The casualty figures for these two battalions were158 killed and 402 wounded in action. In the afternoon of November 20, preceded by a devastating air and artillery barrage, Bravo Company completed the assault of Hill 1034. They spent most of the evening and the following two days clearing the extensive enemy bunker complex surrounding Hill 1034, and collecting captured NVA weapons and a large supply of artillery and mortar ammunition, some of which had markings showing that they were manufactured in Russia. According to information recorded in a letter home, one of the enemy units occupying Hill 1034 was an NVA mortar unit with an identification number of 338. This information was obtained from enemy documents found in the bunkers. Another dangerous situation confronting Bravo Co was the presence of numerous unexploded cluster bombs that were scattered all over Hill 1034, and an Explosive Ordinance Team spent many hours blowing them up. The entire ridgeline was cleared and secured by November 21st. On November 23 or 24, Bravo was assigned the mission of securing LZ Winchester with three platoons, and one platoon (Blackfoot) was sent to Kontum to secure the 1st Bde, 1st ACD, rear command post. On Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, Bravo received the news that the battle of Dak To was over and the enemy had probably returned to their sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia. Bravo Company (minus Blackfoot) was on another hilltop, called LZ Winchester, and late in the afternoon, choppers arrived with their Thanksgiving dinner, consisting of turkey with all the trimmings. Although they enjoyed their meal, there was a noticeable sadness among the troops as if they were silently thinking of their friends and colleagues who were not present. On November 23rd, the WHITEHORSE AO was expanded to the north and east to allow for pursuit to the northeast. Also A firebase, LZ FALCON (ZB 133212), was opened. On November 24th, A and C Companies, combat assaulted to the northeast with no significant findings. Both companies were subsequently extracted to LZ WINCHESTER Nov in preparation for the return of the 1st Bde, 1st ACD, to the PERSHING AO on November 25th. Also the 1st Bde combat units moved by air on 37 C-130 sorties to LZ ENGLISH and the
November 10, 2016
South Texas Underground Film Festival to feature more than 100 films Free event runs Nov. 11-12 and promotes filmmaking, networking
Interested in movies, short films or documentaries? The South Texas Underground Film Festival (STUFF) is a free, multi-day event offering more than 100 films from over 20 countries. Festival attendees can even meet filmmakers and build lasting relationships. Del Mar College invites the public to attend free festival showings that begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, with two short film series –– Hecho en Tejas I and TAMU-CC Media Production –– scheduled in Wolfe Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center Music Building on the College’s East Campus at Ayers and Kosar. On Saturday, Nov. 12, several short film series covering Student Shorts, Animation/ Experimental and Horror/Suspense/Sci-Fi and More Stuff will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Room 530 in White Library on the DMC East Campus on Naples off Kosar at Staples. Additionally, organizers will show a feature film and documentary series from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., followed by a short film series on Hecho en Tejas II from 6 until 8 p.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall. The final feature presentation on Nov. 12 is a Texas feature film premiere of The Last Beautiful Girl and “Sketches” from 8 until 10 p.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall. Films, filmmakers and programming are subject to change without prior notice. All content is unrated. Viewer discretion is advised. Organized by STUFF, the Art Center of Corpus Christi and the DMC Chapter of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), the festival is presented by the Texas Film Commission, House of Rock, Movies Inc. and Film Freeway. For more information, contact Robert Perez Jr., event programmer and co-founder of STUF, at 361-429-1390 or rperez61@delmar.edu or visit www.STUFtx.org.
Chinese Pipa Virtuoso Changlu Wu to take the stage with The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra Saturday, Nov. 12th. The Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra (CCSO) continues its search for a new Maestro with finalist Robert Franz conducting at the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center, Saturday, Nov. 12th at 7:30pm.
soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Congress had declared the day a legal federal holiday in honor of all those who participated in the war. On the same day the previous year, unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the “recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1918] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations” and that the President should issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day. By that time, 27 state legislatures had made November 11 a legal holiday. An act approved May 13, 1938 made November 11 a legal Federal holiday, “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” In actuality, there are no U.S. national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own, and the government can only designate holidays for federal employees and for the District of Columbia. In practice, however, states almost always follow the federal lead.
From Armistice Day to Veterans Day American effort during World War II (19411945) saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War (1950 to 1953). In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. The next development in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees, and encourage tourism and travel, by celebrating four national holidays (Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day) on Mondays. The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original date. In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11th
MACV* Deploys Units To Reinforce The US 4th Infantry Division. According to a secret message prepared by MACV (*Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) Deputy Commander, General Creighton Abrams, the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry arrived in Dak To on November 10th ; the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry on November 11th ; the 1st Brigade Headquarters and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry on November 14th. The fighting had started on November 4th, when US 4th Infantry Division units attacked to secure the ridges to the south of Dak To. Three days later, 173rd Airborne Brigade units pushed west and then southwest, while South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) units pushed north and east. All of these friendly units met stiff resistance from sizeable enemy forces occupying fortified positions on the tops of the peaks and ridges, which confirmed the accuracy of the detailed battle plan obtained from the NVA (North Vietnam) deserter. In conjunction with these ground attacks, the US initiated a massive bombardment of enemy positions employing all available means. The extent of this massive bombardment is evident from the munitions expended during the Battle of Dak To which included 257 B-52 strikes; 2,096 tactical air sorties; and a total of 151,000 artillery rounds. It is hard to imagine how anyone could survive such a bombing inferno, however, during the course of the battle it was discovered that some of the NVA fortified positions consisted of three concentric trenches around the top of a mountain and they had dug a series of holes deep into the mountain which they used as bomb shelters. There were two phases to the Battle of Dak To. The first phase was between November 12th & 14th, and the second and most violent phase was from November 17th to November 22nd. According to General Abrams’ message, Bravo Company (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment) arrived in the area on November 14th , however, the 4th Infantry Division Combat After Action Report states that the 2nd Battalion arrived on November 18th (other evidence supports their deployment on November 14th). The latter report went on to state that the 2nd battalion was deployed “into the hills east of Tan Canh and encountered strong enemy defenses. The battalion operated in the area six days, again blasting the enemy out.” November 19th will always be remembered by the many relatives who lost a loved one on this date at Dak To, and by the many veterans who participated in this battle. The strongest enemy resistance was on the infamous Hill 875, located southwest of Dak To where two battalions of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 2nd Battalion and 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry
last unit landed at the Arrival Airfield at 1800H. 2-8th Cav units were moved from the Arrival Airfield by helicopters to their new missions: C Co, 2-8th Cav assumed the security mission at LZ MUSTANG-TAPE at 251530H Nov 67. B Co 2-8th Cav(-) assumed the security mission at LZ LARAMIE at 251600H Nov 67 and provided two platoons to assist in securing LZ ENGLISH by 1600H. A and D Co 2-8th Cav conducted search and clear operations in the Bong Son AO. NVA casualties during the Battle of Dak To were between 1200-1455 killed in action and it is likely that the figure for NVA wounded in action would be somewhere around 3000. Provoked by these high casualties, a NVA officer called Dak To a “useless and bloody battle.” US casualties during the Battle of Dak To were 289 killed in action, 985 wounded and 16 missing in action. Forty helicopters, two C-130 Hercules and one a F4F aircraft were destroyed by enemy fire. Because of the steep slopes and triple-canopy trees, there was a serious lack of suitable sites for landing helicopters and this meant that most troop movements had to be conducted on foot. There is no doubt that the scarcity of suitable landing sites made it very difficult to conduct airmobile operations in the Dak To area, and this greatly reduced not only our combat effectiveness but also our combat advantage over our opponents. In fact, there are numerous cases where the Battle of Dak To was a traditional “one on one” infantry contest and where troops assaulted hills just like their experience during the Korean War. Most military experts agree that the battles of Dak To in November and Tam Quan in December were preliminary battles to the Tet Offensive in January 1968. Dotson’s Other Note: I know that many of those who attend the weekly Veterans Round Table participated in the battle of Dak To and have vivid memories of that battle. (Also, I haven’t forgotten that IOU the remainder of the 20’s “glossary.”) Your thoughts regarding this or any articles appearing in The Island Moon are greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading and commenting on Senior Moments. I can be reached at: dlewis1@stx.rr.com and/or Land Line: 361-949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475. Please Note: The next Veterans Roundtable Meeting will be Tuesday, November 8th, 9-11 AM, 3209 S. Staples. All Veterans, their families and anyone interested in Veterans affairs, are invited. Coffee & doughnuts are provided. Hope to see you there. Hang in there/Have fun!
Franz is bringing with him renowned Pipa Virtuoso Changlu Wu who will be playing Han’s Qilian Rhapsody. The program titled, A Magical Musical Journey, will also feature selections from Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 “Scottish,” and a special collaborative presentation with the Art Museum of South Texas. CCSO President and former State Representative Gene Seaman, a long time supporter of the Corpus Christi Asian Community, commented, “We are excited to welcome Changlu Wu to the stage Nov. 12th. I am hoping all of my friends in the Corpus Christi Asian community join us for this unique concert where we will celebrate a mix of Western and Asian culture.” Changlu Wu has won numerous awards including notoriety in Isaac Stern’s Oscar winning film From Mao to Mozart. She has played for dignitaries all over the world including President George Bush. Wu currently resides in Houston where she founded the North American Youth Chinese Orchestra in 2012. Tickets can be purchased online at ccsymphony.org or by calling the box office at 361-883-6683.
Trunk-or-Treat at Schlitterbahn
November 10, 2016
A7
Island Moon
How to safeguard yourself against medical identity theft By Kelly Trevino Regional Director, Corpus Christi Better Business Bureau Identity theft affects see a mistake, contact your health insurance millions of Americans every provider and report it. year, causing financial ruin and damaging credit Keep copies of your medical records. Keep histories that can take months or years to repair. copies of your medical history, receipts and/ Unfortunately, a specific type of identity theft or bills from treatments or doctor visits. Also, is on the rise: medical identity theft. But, what keep a record of your prescription history is medical identity theft, and how does it differ including the doctor who prescribed and the from a classic case of identity theft? pharmacy that filled a prescription. Federal Medical identity theft occurs when someone law allows you to have copies of your medical steals your personal information in order to or billing records, and if your request is ever obtain medical care, buy drugs or submit fake denied, you have the right to appeal. billings to Medicare in your name, according Read the statements from your health to the U.S. Department of Health & Human insurance plan. Make sure to read your Services. Unlike financial identity theft— medical and insurance statements regularly which occurs when someone illegally uses your and completely, as these documents can show personal financial information to empty your warning signs of identity theft. Read the bank account or rack up charges on credit cards Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement that taken out in your name—medical identity theft your health plan sends after treatment. Also, can have other serious consequences and is check the name of the provider, the date of more difficult to clear up. Any type of treatment, service and the service provided. Check that diagnosis or surgery that occurs with a stolen the claims paid match the care you received. identity could become a part of your medical If you see a mistake, contact your health record. This could affect your access to medical insurance company and report the problem. care, insurance benefits and the acquired debts could end up on your credit report. Protect your personal information. Read your credit card and bank statements carefully For someone to commit medical identity theft, and often. Shred all personal and financial your Social Security number isn’t necessarily documents, including outdated medical needed as your name, birthday and address documents and old prescription labels. Also, could be enough. According to the private don’t share medical or insurance information cybersecurity research firm, Ponemon Institute, by phone or email unless you initiated the an estimated 2.3 million cases of medical contact and know who you’re dealing with. identity theft were identified in 2014, a 22 percent increase from 2013. Check your credit report. BBB recommends checking your credit report with one of the Better Business Bureau serving Central, three credit bureaus at least once a year. This Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian will help you detect any fraud, and it's easy Basin and the Federal Trade Commission and free. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for offer the following advice to help prevent your your copy. medical information from falling into the wrong hands: Kelly Trevino is the regional director for the Corpus Christi/Victoria area of Better Business Watch out for red flags. Signs of medical Bureau serving Central, Coastal, Southwest identity theft may include receiving a bill for Texas and the Permian Basin. Kelly is available medical services you never received, medical for media interviews and speaking engagements. collection notices on your credit report you don’t recognize or a call from a debt collector You can reach her by phone: (361) 945-7352 or email: ktrevino@corpuschristi.bbb.org. about a medical debt you don’t owe. If you
Island Vandals Destroy Garden MayBeth Christensen The POA has 100 community garden plots in Douden Park. There are 5 sets of 20 plots each. Island residents who are interested in having a plot can sign up for the opportunity. When a plot becomes available, your neighbor spends the time to til the bed, buy the seeds and plants and plant the garden. They then visit the garden
fenced in areas. There is not a good reason for folks to enter the fenced in areas unless they are invited in by one of the gardeners. These folks work very hard to maintain their plots. Having this type of vandalism is very disappointing. The vandals of the latest plot were identified but this should be a teaching moment for Island parents. Talk to your children about respecting other people’s property and not vandalizing it be in garden plots, signs or other property! The POA is looking for volunteers to be a part of two committees the Board is in the process of establishing in order to get resident input and assistance. One is the canals and waterways committee. Because of an increasing number of concerns expressed about safety and property damage caused by boat wakes, as well as other boating related issues, the POA Board has decided to reestablish a Canals and Waterways committee to work on resolving some of the concerns. We are seeking volunteers who are boat owners/operators in our canal system and/or waterfront homeowners who would be willing to serve on the committee. Ideally, we are looking for at least one volunteer living on one of the northern canals [area closest to JFK bridge]; one living on southern main canal [parallel to Whitecap]; one from a "back canal" [such as Cruiser/ or canal parallel to Aquarius]; and, one non-waterfront homeowner who regularly uses a POA boat launch area. If interested in serving on this committee, please send an email to: maybeth@pipoa.net.
several times a week to water the plot and do the weeding and finally harvesting the vegetables. The system and the gardens have worked well until about 2 weeks ago when the gardens were hit with some vandalism. Plants were pulled out of the ground and thrown around or simply taken with them. We have had reports that young adults were seen wandering thru the
Island Moon on a Spoon
Creating a memorable Thanksgiving meal by using “A Flavor Wheel” By Chef Vita Jarrin Whether you’re making one dish or planning a large holiday dinner, figuring out what to make can be overwhelming. There are so many options and directions you can go. We already know that certain foods on Thanksgiving are traditional staples and having them as part of our meal is a must! However, times are evolving, and we are all becoming more knowledgeable in food and its preparation. We now have a larger variety of ingredients to choose from. So… you may be wondering, how do we add flare to some of these older family favorites and make new ones? Don’t stress! One way to tackle this feat is by creating a flavor wheel around your menu. A flavor wheel balances flavors. Combining certain flavors through fresh herbs, spices,
something is still missing. So let’s see, we have the rich & savory, from the food itself, the heat from the spiked gravy and the sweetness from the caramelized Brussel sprouts… We are still missing an element of tartness, something a bit acidic. . The answer? Cranberry Sauce! Although some of us grew up on canned cranberry gel, some of us haven’t even tried it. Since my first experience with cranberry sauce was as a child, I’m sure its color and texture intimidated me, as well as others. But as I stated earlier, having more food knowledge as well as exposure prepares us to try new things. Cranberry Sauce has been a Thanksgiving staple for years in part because it ties many of the other flavors together and balances the richness of the rest of the meal with a tart tangyness. In order to take some of the intimidation out of cranberry sauce and provide a delicious alternative to the canned variety, I’ll invite you to try what has become a family favorite at my house. Voila, your thanksgiving meal is now rightfully balanced and full of personality and it’s one that is sure to be remembered! Have fun! Try new things! Happy Eats!!! Enjoy
Island Chef’s Cranberry Sauce Recipe 1 C Water 1 C Granulated Sugar 1 lb. Fresh Cranberries 1 3oz. Box Raspberry Jell-O 16 oz. Crushed Pineapple sauces, gravies, etc., starts to build a balance of flavors in your mouth. This balance actually allows your pallet to taste and enjoy the food more. So many of us make the mistake of having the same base or profile throughout the meal, not taking consideration that once it’s all on the plate, everything starts to taste the same. Therefore, in order to successfully execute a memorable dish, you must surprise the pallet and add contrast to your dishes. Here are some examples: If you’re using stock to make the gravy, what can you add to the gravy to surprise your pallet? How about peach bourbon? How about taking it a step further and heating up the bourbon to steep an ancho chili pepper for smokiness, or a jalapeno pepper for heat? Or why not use both? Now that you’ve started adding smokiness and heat, it’s also a good idea to add sweetness to the meal. Therefore, add a dish, such as caramelized Brussel sprouts sautéed with onions and bacon and tossed with a pinch or two of brown sugar. Combining the sweet, mixed with heat and savory is already starting to build personality. However,
½ C Walnuts Chopped 1 C 11oz. tangerine slices ½ C Celery Heat water & sugar and bring to a boil, add cranberries, reduce heat. Cranberries will begin to pop and soften, while cooking. Cook 10 Minutes and turn off heat. Add Jell-O. When cooled, add nuts, tangerines, celery and crushed pineapple. Mix well and let sit overnight in refrigerator.
Tip of the week: Cranberry sauce is not just for Thanksgiving. Take advantage of the sales on fresh cranberries during the holiday season. Cranberries can be frozen and kept for a month or more. Cranberry sauce itself can be made in advance. It can even be canned for use throughout the year. It can be used not only with turkey but consider using it with pork, a variety of poultry and game meats as well as mixed into chicken salad for sandwiches. Once you try this recipe you may find yourself looking forward to holiday leftovers!
The Lost Tribe of Yamassee A former Brownsville man, now living in Waco, has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions of selling membership in a non-recognized Indian tribe, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Humberto Reveles, 61, pleaded guilty in March 2015. This week, U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen handed Reveles a 33-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was further ordered to pay restitution of $198,795 to 144 victims of the scheme. In handing down the sentence, Hanen noted this scheme was just as bad as coyotes smuggling people past the checkpoint. He also noted that this crime was victimizing the individuals who could least afford it (undocumented immigrants).
The other committee is the Compliance Advisory Committee. This will be a 7 person committee to work with the Board and compliance inspectors to advise and make recommendations regarding the maintenance standards as well as parking. If you are interested, please send an email to maybeth@pipoa.net.
At the time of his plea, Reveles admitted to selling membership in the Yamassee tribe as part of a scheme to defraud. Reveles was the chief, and later grand chief, of the tribe. He claimed the tribal identification documents that came with membership would allow tribe members to remain in the United States, prevent them from being deported, allow them to travel within and work in the country, despite not having immigration status.
Working together, we can hopefully make things better for everyone.
Reveles opened an office where he would meet with prospective tribe members in
addition to holding informational meetings. Prospective tribe members would pay Reveles or his employees and were to receive tribal naturalization certificates, tribal identification cards and tribal drivers’ licenses. The documents were to be presented in support of the false immigration claims underlying the scheme. The Yamassee tribe not a federally recognized Indian tribe nor recognized by the U.S. Department of State. Previously released on bond, Reveles was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender in December 2016. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service with assistance from Border Patrol, FBI and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Leonard is prosecuting the case.
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A8
November 10, 2016
Island Moon
SPORTS Sports Talk Special to The Island Moon
Umpiring a World Series Game is Extremely Difficult
By Dotson Lewis
By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon
Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: For the past week, while you “Cubbies” fans were celebrating and you “Indian” fans were crying in their adult beverages, and saying “wait until next year”… how ’bout a little love for the other guys on the field? Thanks to Ted Berg for contributing to this article.
The Cubs and Indians played Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night, November 2nd. The Cubs won and their players became heroes forever in their Chicago, ending a one hundred and eight year long drought and securing late-night TV appearances, and free drinks, and a White House visit.
Mission Accomplished
here working their tails off for 162 (games) like we are. There’s no home for them. They’re on the road the entire season.” It’s true; while MLB players get to play half their games in one location, umpires travel constantly throughout the season. Across the course of the six-month regular season, they get four one-week breaks. And while Marsh said many umpires make their homes someplace near a big-league city, they’re unlikely to be there for more than a couple of series a season. Marsh hails from a Cincinnati suburb in Northern Kentucky, and could recall a season in which he worked only three Reds home games all year. Naturally, umpiring has changed a lot in the last couple of seasons thanks to the dawn of the league’s replay review system. Marsh said umps were resistant to the change at first, sensitive about having their calls overturned, and hesitant to overturn their fellow umps’ calls during their turns overseeing replays. But replay, the umps found, saves them from the burden of botching a decisive call in a big game.
There he stood on the sideline in his Brooks Brothers suit, matching tie, trademark fedora and the game-plan rolled up in his hand. “I’ve always dressed this way,” he later said. He appeared tall and thin like an old pay phone, but standing 6’ 2” tall and weighing 210 pounds he was bigger than he looked. There were whispers that he still lifted weights after practice. Most of his hair had departed, his jaw reminded me up a truck bumper, and he owned the bluest pair of eyes you have ever looked into. Cowboy blue, some said. He chewed gum on game day with intensity, but you’d never know it by looking. His voice was laced with Texas twang, and he spoke with a slight lisp when he was younger. He looked like someone had licked all the red off his candy. Dallas Cowboy fullback, Walt Garrison, was once asked if Tom Landry ever smiled. “I don’t know,” said Walt. “I only played there nine years.” Tom Landry claimed to have patterned his game day demeanor after golf sensation and fellow Texan, Ben Hogan. “Ben had this ability to block everything out and concentrate on the present,” said Landry.
Corps. He began his basic training at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas, and finished his preflight training at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. Tom received his B-17 co-pilot training in Sioux City, Iowa. He was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, 493rd Bombardment Group of the 860th Bombardment Squadron. Tom Landry flew 30 missions during the European Theater and survived a crash in France when his plane ran out of gas. “All nine of us walked away,” said Landry. Another near-crash occurred while returning from a bombing run in Czechoslovakia. “The B-17 sounded as if it were running out of fuel over occupied Belgium,” Landry said. “We were weaving our way down, and the pilot decided it was time to jump, time to become a prisoner of war, an MIA. When I got out of my seat, I noticed the fuel mixture was bad, so I just shoved the lever forward and all four engines cut on again.” Mark Twain once wrote, “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you found out why.”
“They realized it’s for the betterment of the game,” Marsh said. “Also, if you’re an umpire
But six guys spread out around Progressive Field in Game 7 were not seeking such glory. Like the players, they represent the best in the world at their profession; and in the World Series they are called upon to perform under unspeakable pressure. But the best any umpire can hope to achieve is for no one to notice him at all. “If you’re worried about the pressure, you’ve got the wrong job,” MLB umpiring director and former umpire Randy Marsh told USA TODAY Sports. “To me, the pressure’s the same as it is opening day; I want to get every pitch right. It’s not any different when you’re working the World Series.” The proliferation of high-definition video review and Pitch F/X-type strike zone readouts prompt some to argue that MLB umpires have somehow gotten worse in recent years, a bafflingly illogical conclusion in a highly competitive baseball landscape changed daily by new technologies for assessing the
and they’ve changed your call, nine times out of ten it’s not even written about in the paper. There’s a call at first base that was overturned; the umpire’s not out there hanging on a limb and getting ripped apart. Also, because they were able to do that, it didn’t affect the outcome of the game, that’s the important thing.” Umpires in 2016 face perhaps more scrutiny than ever before, especially when behind the plate. Fans and analysts armed with strikezone plots can identify immediately if an
performance of just about everyone. The umpires working the World Series represent the best of the best.
umpire called a strike an inch below the zone or squeezed a pitcher on a fastball that nipped the outside corner.
“These guys are evaluated every game they work all season long,” Marsh said. “Their strike zone is evaluated, all the plays they call on the field, how they handle situations, arguments and things like that, how they handle them. They get mid-year evaluations, they get yearend evaluations. In September, we bring our supervisors in and meet with (MLB chief baseball officer) Joe Torre and (VP of baseball operations) Peter Woodfork, and we go over the entire staff, all 76 names.
And pitchers throw harder than ever before. In game seven the plate umpire (Sam Holbrook) will have to determine whether a 102.5-mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman caught the top part of the strike zone or sailed an inch too
“We have video review on all the calls they make, and we have the computer systems as far as plate work is concerned. The day after they work the plate, they get a readout on every pitch that they actually called. It’ll tell them if they called a pitch two and a half inches outside, or it’ll tell them if this pitch was inside the zone and they called it a ball.” In September, the league selects four crews’ worth of umpires to work the Divisional Series round. Two separate crews umpire the LCS series. The seven umps that rotate through the six postseason umpiring positions during World Series play all worked LDS games but not LCS contests, an effort made to find a balance between rust and fatigue. All umps receive postseason bonuses now, but working the World Series brings a larger one, and getting tapped for the job represents a big honor. “Joe Torre refers to the World Series as the crown jewel of baseball, and being selected as an umpire for the World Series, that’s the crown jewel selection,” Marsh said. “It’s very exciting. A lot of guys want that.” Earlier this postseason a moment which was caught up online between Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and home-plate umpire Angel Hernandez blew up online. Rizzo had assumed a pitch was ball four and began walking toward first when Hernandez called him back, and the slugger later apologized for inadvertently “showing up” Hernandez. After the game, Rizzo pointed out something that rarely registers with fans: umpiring a full baseball season is an extraordinarily taxing job. “All of the umpires are out here at the highest level, doing their best,” he said. “They’re out
Sam Holbrook high, and if he gets it wrong, he will be publicly chastised. Marsh said that umpires provide a support system for one another, and noted that many dedicated baseball fans do appreciate the difficulty of officiating a game. But when asked if he thought most people recognize how hard it is to be an umpire, he was unequivocal. “Guys come to umpire school, and they think anybody can get behind the plate,” he said. “The first time they get behind there at umpire school and the balls coming in at 50 mph, they’re diving out of the way. “They have no idea.” Dotson’s Other Note: This year’s World Series umpires were crew chief John Hirschbeck, Chris Guccione, Sam Holbrook, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, Larry Vanover and Joe West. What kind of job do you think they did? Your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns regarding Sports Talk articles are greatly appreciated, please call the Benchwarmers at 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 5-7 PM, or contact me. Phone: 361949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@ stx.rr.com Have fun -30-
It all started for Thomas Wade “Tom” Landry in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley. He was born in Mission, Texas, a town of less than 5,000 souls. The date was September 11, 1924. His father, Ray, was an auto mechanic and a volunteer fireman. Ray was also athletic and played football at Mission in 1917. Tom’s mother, Ruth, was a homemaker for four kids, Robert, Tommy, Ruthie and Jack. One of Tom’s earliest jobs was delivering newspapers. Shy beyond belief, as a child he was hit by a car and nearly lost his life. Landry grew up in a place where there was not a whole lot to look forward to. Mission High School in the 1930’s had less than 200 students enrolled. Besides football, Tom played basketball and ran on the track team. Tom initially started his football career at offensive center in high school before becoming a tailback, punter and defensive back. Tom was an “A” student, president of his class, and a member of the National Honor Society. He was also voted “Cutest Boy” in his senior class. He was just an ordinary kid, but very competitive on the field. The newspapers wrote that he played as if he were possessed and without fear. “If a guy caught a ball against me, I’d try to hit him so hard he wished he hadn’t. And nothing made me madder than to have someone catch a touchdown pass on me,” said Landry. Coach Bob Martin’s team played a “Notre Dame Box.” “It was a single-wing type offense,” explained Landry. Tom Landry wore #88, scored more than two touchdowns per game from the tailback position and, as a punter; he averaged over 40 yards per kick, in his senior season. This was a time of no facemask, and no one had ever heard of professional football. The 1940 Mission Eagles won the district 40A football title. It was a prelude to what was about to happen. In 1941, Mission proceeded to score 323 points on their way to a 12-0 record. Only Donna, Texas, their arch rivals, scored a touchdown in week six on the Mission defense. As luck would have it, the Redskin’s score came on a pass interference call in the Missions’ end zone, against Tom Landry. Instead of the officials placing the ball at the 1-yard line and, awarding a first down, they gave Donna a touchdown. Mission beat Aransas Pass 19-0 in the BiDistrict playoffs, before facing the Hondo Owls for the Class 1A Regional Championship. This game was played on December 13, 1941. Tom Landry rushed for three touchdowns and passed for a fourth, in a 33-0 blowout. Landry’s last rushing touchdown covered 63 yards. Landry was selected unanimously to the Rio Grande Valley Freedom Newspaper All-Millennium Team, as a defensive back. Tom was recruited by Texas, Rice, SMU and Mississippi State. He chose Texas and enrolled as a freshman the following year, but Tom Landry’s world was changing quickly. The Great Depression had ended and WW II lay dead ahead. Six days before the Class 1A Regional Championship game, the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Like millions of other American boys, Tom’s older brother, Robert, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While flying his B-17 over to England, Robert’s plane had gone down in the North Atlantic, somewhere near Iceland. In 1942, Tom immediately left the University of Texas and joined the Army Air
“I began to think back on it; I knew God had a purpose for me,” said Landry. He was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1945 and returned to Austin to continue his studies and play football. Tom married Alicia Wiggs on January 28, 1949. His friends joked that she may have been the only one who could make him smile. They had three children together. In 1958, Tom Landry accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. I met Tom Landry once at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in Dallas, Texas. When I went to shake his hand, I noticed my hand was shaking. He spoke with conviction about his faith and quoted Bible verses. The one thing he said that has remained with me all these years: “Losing requires you to do absolutely nothing.” He was talking about God, family and football. Now, Mission High School is making plans to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of their 1941 unbeaten, untied and almost unscored-upon team. Somehow time just gets away from us. But legends never die. Landry lived his life in many chapters, but he was born into football and belonged there. If you were a football fan, he became part of your life because football was a part of your life. The Mission High School Football Stadium is now named Tom Landry Stadium. Tom Landry left us on February 12, 2000, after battling leukemia. There is no argument; he was one of the best. Landry just had this aura about him. He was not an emotional speaker, but he spoke with sensitivity. He would open up in public and touch your heart. The real story of Tom Landry was that he was an even better person than he was a football coach, and that’s saying something. Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for all the latest info on his books or to listen to the new radio podcast. Andy’s books are available online and can be found in the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Andy can be contacted at purvis.andy@mygrande.net. Also listen to sports talk radio on Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session from 6-8 PM on Sportsradiocc.com 1230 AM, 96.1 FM and 103.3 FM. The home of the Houston Astros.
November 10, 2016
A9
Island Moon
The Traveling Moon Gets Around!
Port Aransan Sheri Hargrove took the Moon Traveling to the Sea of Cortez in Baja California
Tim Parr and Julie Wise dive Cayman Braq
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November 10, 2016
Island Moon
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